Kennesaw Car Accident Attorney

Kennesaw Auto Accidents

Every single day, hundreds of auto accidents occur due to complex navigation systems and distracting technology. Lives are turned upside down within a moment of inattention or mistake. Many people who have been in an auto accident wonder if they really need an attorney to handle the case. There are a lot of things to worry about, expenses to address, recovery from injuries to focus on, and much more as you navigate through the difficult aftermath of an auto accident. In most of these cases, a good auto accident lawyer can make all the difference in reducing the stress level and ensuring that your rights are protected and advocated so that you don’t have to face this challenge alone.

When another driver has been careless, reckless, or negligent, you can find yourself facing the consequences with devastating injuries, invasive surgeries, substantial medical expenses, time consuming rehabilitation, and lost wages. You could even lose your ability to work and provide for yourself. In too many cases, the heartbreaking reality is that victims of auto accidents lose a piece of themselves as loved ones are tragically taken from them.

Then, with all of these overwhelming circumstances piled in front of you, you find yourself facing the at-fault driver’s insurance company with their exhausting paperwork, smooth talking adjusters, and focused dedication to settling your claim for the lowest possible amount. This is why you will find it to be in the best interests of yourself and your family to have tough legal representation in the aftermath of an auto accident.

Statistics From A Kennesaw Car Accident Attorney

The average cost of an auto accident in Georgia is over $1,000 per person with accidents occurring more frequently in rural areas than in urban areas. Every year, over 1200 Georgia auto accidents result in fatalities and all together, over 60,000 years of life are lost to these motor vehicle crashes.

Even when an accident is not fatal, the statistics on collisions in Georgia are alarming. Close to 1200 auto accidents occur every single day with over 100,000 injuries occurring. These are most often caused following too closely, failure to yield, or loss of control by the driver and happen in passenger cars three times as often as trucks and SUVs. Whatever the cause or circumstances of your auto accident, the injuries and losses sustained can be completely devastating to you and your family.

Common Injuries From Auto Accidents

Many of the most common injuries from auto accidents are disabling. Too often, those who might be lucky to escape with their lives are devastated by the long term and even permanent disability that results from these collisions. The amount of force exerted in a high speed auto accident is enough to significantly damage the human body with an array of painful and debilitating injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain and head injuries frequently occur in auto accidents because the body cannot safely slow to a stop when traveling at high speeds. Even seatbelts cannot stop the brain from crashing into the skull during impact. This can happen with enough force to cause a range of injuries from mild concussion to extreme traumatic brain injury.

Even if things appear to be alright in the aftermath of the accident, symptoms of brain injuries can surface later on. This could cause a person to opt out of seeking the assistance of an auto accident attorney because he or she mistakenly believes that no further medical bills will be incurred. Then, when symptoms present themselves, it is too late because the claim has been settled, and the expenses for medical care rest on the shoulders of the victim.

Back And Neck Injury

Back and neck injuries are also common occurrences during an auto accident. Some injuries of the neck and back include whiplash and damage to the spine, nervous system, or muscles. When a person is in a car crash, the sudden stop causes an amount of force that can create substantial pressure on the body. As the head slams forward and back, the neck can be injured. As your body twists and collides with parts of the vehicle, or is even crushed by the impact, your vertebrae can be fractured or otherwise damaged.

Much like head injuries, the trauma of some back and neck injuries can go unnoticed and untreated in the shocking moments that follow an auto accident. Not every back and neck injury is obvious, apparent, or paralyzing. Symptoms may start with mild discomfort and grow into disabling pain and limited range of motion over time.

Facial Injury

It is extremely common for drivers and passengers in car accidents to experience injuries to the face, including deep cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. The most common cause of facial injuries in auto accidents is the broken glass from windshields, door windows, mirrors, and eyeglasses. Broken jaws and teeth are also potential issues that can be faced by people who have survived a car crash.

Chest Injury

Serious auto accidents can also cause chest injuries. These most often arise from the impact of the chest with the seatbelt, the dashboard, or the steering wheel. In some cases, broken ribs and internal injuries occur from this impact or when passengers are thrown from the car. Chest injuries can require a lot of time and rehabilitation to recover from.

Auto Accident Lawyer On The Claims Process

These injuries and many others (like fractures, burns, and various lacerations) are the result of Georgia auto accidents hundreds of times every single day. So, what do you do when you have been injured in an auto accident? What steps do you need to take to receive the financial compensation that you deserve and need to sustain yourself and your family?

Report Filing

The very first thing that you need to do following a car crash in Kennesaw is to file a report for the physical injuries and property damages. This not only beneficial for your case, but is your legal obligation in Georgia. You will begin by calling the police, who will arrive quickly with the paperwork that you need to file a report for the accident. Avoid saying anything that might imply that you are in any way at fault. This does not mean that you should lie about anything, but that you should avoid making apologies and keep discussion to a minimum to avoid accidentally saying something that could be used against you at a later date by the other driver and his or her attorneys.

If you are able to, exchange information with the other driver. This means that you need to provide and collect the full name, address, phone number, and insurance information. You should also make notes about the details of the accident, the positioning of the vehicles, the possible cause of the crash, and the names and information of any witnesses. These will come in handy later when you need evidence and witnesses to testify in your case.

Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel as though you have not suffered any injuries from the accident, and naturally, if you have apparent injuries, you need to see a doctor after you file your accident report. Not all symptoms of injuries are immediately obvious. Head and brain injuries, back and neck injuries, and in some cases, even internal injuries can seem non-existent or minimal in the moment. Further inspection, however, can reveal serious problems that you have not noticed.

This is especially true in the dazed and stunned moments that follow a car accident. People can go into shock, and if head injuries are present, you may be confused and unable to adequately assess your own injuries. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible is the best way to ensure that you are adequately treated to prevent further injury and obtain financial compensation for your medical expenses.

Unfortunately, many people do not follow this advice, and find that they are accused to faking their injuries when health concerns are claimed later on. The insurance company can easily claim that your injury was caused by an unrelated event or that the injury never happened to begin with. It is important to have medical records as evidence of the injury and the cause.

Establishing Fault

When an accident occurs on Georgia roads, fighting for adequate compensation for damages and injuries can be an uphill battle. However, the more detailed you are in your initial report on the accident, the easier it will be to get the judgment you deserve. To establish fault, considerations like recklessness and negligence will be taken into account. As the plaintiff, you will have to show that the defendant failed to operate his or her vehicle in a responsible and appropriate way to avoid the accident, and that this failure is what caused the accident, the injuries and the damages.

Documented Evidence

To prove fault, the more evidence you have, the better. An auto accident attorney will assemble the necessary documents to be able to approach the at-fault driver’s insurance company with everything prepared for the case. Your attorney will contact anyone who provided medical care for your injuries (including doctors, chiropractors, hospitals, radiologists, rehabilitation providers, etc) to understand the treatment provided and calculate the bills incurred for these treatments.

The auto accident attorney will also view statements from witnesses and may even consult with an accident reconstructionist to get a better idea of what actually happened to cause the crash. With all of this documented evidence in hand, the auto accident attorney can file a demand letter with the responsible insurance carrier.

The Demand Letter

The next step is to file the demand letter with the insurance carrier who was responsible for your car accident. This letter will explain the facts, including the cause of the accident, and the details of what happened and the medical needs and expenses that resulted. All of your injuries and expenses will be described in detail in this letter, in addition to any other expenses. If future care is anticipated, these costs will also be included.

The ultimate goal of the demand letter, after listing and explaining injuries and expenses, is to demand a specific amount of money to compensate the injured plaintiff. The demand letter will be mailed to the insurance company and the claims adjuster for that company will be responsible for reviewing the evidence and offering a settlement.

This is where your auto accident lawyer will be able to negotiate for a settlement that is fair and sufficient to cover your losses. It will be your responsibility to remain in close contact with your attorney to ensure that the case progresses. However, patience will be necessary as each case is different and yours may not be resolved for months.

Hire An Auto Accident Lawyer For A Stress Free Settlement Process

It is always important to have adequate representation when you are involved in negotiation for a settlement with an insurance claims adjuster. It is not easy to face these professionals on your own as you focus on recovering from your auto accident. Your attorney will have the experience to protect your interests and refuse unfairly low offers for a minimal settlement.

All too often, plaintiff’s choose to settle their cases early and even accept the very first offer that they are given by the insurance company. It’s is not unreasonable to be tempted to do this because you want to get past this difficulty and waste no more time than you have to on the challenging negotiation process. However, a bit of patience can ensure that you get a settlement that is several thousand dollars more than the initial settlement offer.

Consider this example: You are in an auto accident that results in broken bones and neck surgery. You have received treatment for all of these injuries, and your case is the settlement phase. You accept the first offer which will compensate your medical expenses up to this point, and you feel satisfied with this decision. You begin to move on with your life and put the accident behind you. A few months pass. Suddenly, you’re noticing more neck pain and you return to the doctor for additional treatment. These medical expenses will come out of your pocket, because you’ve already settled your case; and there’s no going back once you’ve made that decision.

It is essential to work with an experienced professional auto accident attorney to prevent a situation like this from happening to you. Take your time in healing and let your lawyer handle the stressful paperwork and negotiations. As time passes, you’ll have a better idea of what sort of continued medical treatment may be required for your recovery and how much you’ll lose in wages. When in doubt, ask your auto accident attorney about the best course of action.

To ensure that you are working with the most experienced and successful auto accident attorneys in the area, call Roger Ghai. Personal Injury attorney Ghai has represented victims of auto accidents throughout Georgia and knows how to fight for your best interests.